Applications...

I have many reasons to be dreading this beautiful Saturday morning. #1 my Tony is now 293 miles away, yes, 5 hours and 8 minutes from my front door. Not counting or anything like that…

My heart is weepy sad but I’m so excited for him! I saw his parents last night for a moment and wanted to cry. So… enough of the sappy girlfriend saga.

The other reason for my dread is the College application season has begun. I’ve applied to 4 colleges and have been accepted by two. Two more to go.

I’ve answered over 100 questions, submitted grades/transcripts, and now have the awesome task of answering ESSAY questions to give them insight as to why I want to attend their fine institutions… that my parents are footing the bill for…

If reason ruled in this situation I would be submitting an essay to my parents. The essay would be "Why the Hell do YOU Look so GOOD on PAPER?" 

On paper my parents appear to be of awesome means. The sad thing about that statement is our government fails to see that what’s on paper is typically not reality. Whoa did I just say that? Our government and reality in the same sentence. (Disclaimer… Going off the rails moment… doesn’t our government appear to be a bad reality show right now? I mean the channel says CNN but it looks more like E! or BRAVO!)

Back on track… what the FAFSA doesn’t list is:

My family is separated because of a quality of life issue. Well it started out that way… You see I couldn’t exist in the Valley of the smog… I mean Sun. Too many bouts with pneumonia and asthma had my parents seeking a better climate for me. Unfortunately, mountain standard time does not pay what the valley pays. So, one of my parents commutes weekly to their job to ensure life, college tuition, weddings, emergency from every corner, and day to day is maintained. The other one holds down the homestead and works close to home to ensure we have everything we need and then some. This unfortunately doesn’t factor into what the government wants to see on their reams of paperwork.

So back to my college essays and keeping myself busy… Why the Hell do YOU Look so GOOD on PAPER? BECAUSE I'm LOVED!

Best Day Ever...

Today will be bittersweet as I spend my last Saturday with Tony, a.k.a. “The Boy”, before he heads off to college next week.

It’s funny how our mothers came up with nicknames for us. Yes, mothers are amazing creatures who can spot a boy or girl trying to capture their child’s heart. Then they proceed to create names for those SOMEONES!

It’s a dark and gloomy Saturday as we head down to the Valley of Sun. The sun is doing her best to make an appearance to make this a special day. As I reflect on my freshman and sophomore years when “The Boy” stole my heart and I couldn’t tell him because I was an awkward girl with “RULES”. Remember RULES!

What “Ms. Girl” found in those 2 years was a best friend in the “The Boy”. Oh, how I will miss him, miss long discussions about our futures, and sparring over our different views on life.

Wishing” The Boy” a great Freshman year navigating new surroundings, new friends, new sights, and hopefully lots and lots of homework to keep him busy!

Love, Ms. Girl

Favorite Things Edition...

With school, back in session I’ve finally have a moment to breath and reflect on the chaos of the 1^st week of school. What’s hilarious to me is we live in a small town and 1^st week back is such a pain. Why you ask? Because every student’s parent has a PARENTAL NEED to drive their children to school.

The school parking lot was grid locked so my parental unit had to drive a ½ mile up the road to a Circle K to pick up my little brother and me.

So, back to my favorite things…

 Harry Potter backpack of course embellished with all my favorite patches. I’ve had the same backpack for 3 years. I treated myself to this little gem.

 Dresses… I used to hate dresses. Dresses are the best kept secret to sleeping in and just throwing something comfy on!

   Shirts… Ya… it’s just a shirt and yes, I wore the 2^nd shirt over it so not to offend the teachers. AND no, I don’t drink alcohol.

 Jewelry… you know me and the BRACELETS!!!

 LOVE…LOVE…LOVE Too Faced Peach Palette

Shoes... nothing beats wedged Chuck Taylor's and FAUX FUR ones too!

 

Faux Fur!

    

String Doll Gang to liven up your backpack!

Two weeks and counting for "The Boy" to go off to college. Ah, favorite things can sure be bittersweet!

S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y Shopping Day...

Sorry for the late post, but today and yesterday were just crazy!

 My wonderful mother decided this was the weekend to take my brother and I down to the city of Sun and get new clothes and gear for this new school year.

 

My brother is a Freshie... and me a Senior! Time goes by so fast y’know.

  

I even got a new toy to show you some of my adventures for my final year of High school year. 

 New Chess season, new adventures, new lessons, new crafts to be made. OH and of course more Baby Puppy stories featuring our Little Boy Ame!

Some tips though for school shopping if you haven’t gone yet:

 1st: ALWAYS take the spot that is somewhat close to the store and opened up just for you. Don’t try and find another spot closer because chances are you’re going to have to walk… (Sorry Mom)

2nd: Clearance is always a good thing in stores! I can’t tell you boys and girls what a “magical” thing the clearance section is.

3rd: If you don’t think you’ll ever wear it more than once... DON’T get it. It’s a waste of money to get something you're on the fence about.

4th: Be calm and don’t worry about what you can’t get because most of the time you won’t need it.

5th: Have fun! Take friends, family, go have lunch or dinner, dance, be silly, and just have fun with it! Shopping can be entertaining if you let it be. My Mom was discussing shopping clearance undies at Victoria's Secrets for my brothers. Yep, they both choked on their drinks. Good silly fun!

6th: Make sure you have enough money. So far the median spent for school shopping is $500. Ya, I know crazy huh?

7th: Take plenty of breaks. Taking a trip to your parked car and dropping off all those shopping bags is a great suggestion.

8th: Stash up on coupons. That free lipstick isn’t yours without that coupon.

9th: Try some new stores. One store could be selling something you want for cheaper than that other store.

And finally 10th: DO NOT drive your parents crazy! They work hard for the money to buy you stuff. If you’re footing the bill... good for you but STILL give them a break.

Whelp that’s all for this Saturday! I wish you happy shopping sprees and a happy new school year. Make it a great one!

Rest Day...

You've reached Saturday with Penelope... 

Penelope has taken the day off to enjoy a quick drive to Greer to enjoy nature. Last weekend of relaxation.

Next Saturday a day of back to school shopping and crafting. See you all next week!